Hdmi devices and methods with stacking support

ABSTRACT

Embodiments for managing High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) data. HDMI data received by at least one of a second HDMI connector of an HDMI device and the processor of the HDMI device is transmitted to a first HDMI connector of the HDMI device according to each of a plurality of modes of operation. A switching operation between the plurality of modes of operation is automatically performed based on a time schedule programmed by a user notwithstanding a priority signal embedded within the HDMI data received at the second HDMI connector or the processor is configured to override the time schedule to initiate the switching.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/290,204, filed on Oct. 11, 2016.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to computing systems, and moreparticularly, to various embodiments for managing High-DefinitionMultimedia Interface (HDMI) data.

Description of the Related Art

Many modern computing systems, such as high-definition televisions(HDTVs) or liquid crystal display televisions (LCD TVs), are equippedwith High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) ports that may be usedto provide audio and/or video signals that may be rendered by thesystem. Various HDMI components, such as HDMI video devices, sometimesin the form of “sticks,” are now offered that provide different types ofcontent, such as video streams, Internet-related products, multimediaexperiences, etc.

However, most computing systems are only equipped with one or two HDMIports. If a user wants to use additional HDMI devices, he or she mustincorporate a separate device (e.g., a switch box) to switch betweenHDMI devices or disconnect (or unplug) the HDMI devices from thecomputing system and replace them with others. Ideally, users would beable to connect multiple HDMI devices to a single HDMI port and switchbetween them without requiring the use of another device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments for managing High-Definition Multimedia Interface(HDMI) data by a processor are described. In one embodiment, by way ofexample only, a method for managing HDMI data, again by a processor, isprovided. HDMI data received by at least one of a second HDMI connectorof an HDMI device and the processor of the HDMI device is transmitted toa first HDMI connector of the HDMI device according to each of aplurality of modes of operation. A switching operation between theplurality of modes of operation is automatically performed based on atime schedule programmed by a user notwithstanding a priority signalembedded within the HDMI data received at the second HDMI connector orthe processor is configured to override the time schedule to initiatethe switching.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the advantages of the invention will be readilyunderstood, a more particular description of the invention brieflydescribed above will be rendered by reference to specific embodimentsthat are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that thesedrawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are nottherefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the inventionwill be described and explained with additional specificity and detailthrough the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting an exemplary computing nodeaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an additional block diagram depicting an exemplary cloudcomputing environment according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is an additional block diagram depicting abstraction model layersaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a High-Definition Multimedia Interface(HDMI) device in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a simplified functional block/schematic view of an HDMI devicein accordance with aspects of the present invention;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are isometric views of HDMI devices illustrating the HDMIdevices being connected in accordance with aspects of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of two connected HDMI devices being coupledto a computing device in accordance with aspects of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 9-11 are simplified functional block/schematic views of twoconnected HDMI devices in operable communication with a computing devicein accordance with aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a simplified function block/schematic view of additionalconnected HDMI devices in operable communication with a computing devicein accordance with aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart diagram depicting an exemplary method formanaging HDMI data in which various aspects of the present invention maybe implemented; and

FIG. 14 is a flowchart diagram depicting an exemplary method formanaging HDMI data, again in which various aspects of the presentinvention may be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

As previously indicated, many modern High-Definition MultimediaInterface (HDMI) compatible computing systems, such as HDTVs, LCD TVs,etc., are only equipped with one or two HDMI ports (or female HDMIconnectors). If a user wants to use more HDMI devices than the system isnormally configured to use, he or she must use an additional device,such as a switch box, or disconnect some of the HDMI devices from thesystem and replace them with others.

Consider an example in which an LCD TV is equipped with only one HDMIport, and the user has two HDMI devices, each of which is configured toprovide a video stream of a sporting event through an online provider.If the sporting events are scheduled to take place at the same time, itwould normally not be possible for the user to use both HDMI devices atthe same time in such a way the he or she could watch both eventssimultaneously. Rather, the only way the user could keep track of bothevents at the same time would be to repeatedly switch back and forthbetween the two devices, either manually or by using a device such as aswitch box.

In view of the foregoing, a need exists for HDMI devices and systems, aswell as methods for managing HDMI signals (or data streams), that allowfor multiple HDMI devices to be simultaneously connected to a singleHDMI port and/or utilized at the same time.

To address these needs, the devices, systems, and methods of the presentinvention use, for example, an HDMI device(s) having (at least) two HDMIconnectors (e.g., a male HDMI connector and a female HDMI connector). Itshould be understood that in at least some embodiments described belowthe male HDMI connector may be referred to as a (or the) “first HDMIconnector,” and the female HDMI connector may be referred to as a (orthe) “second HDMI connector.” However, the terms “first,” “second,”“third,” etc., may simply be used to differentiate between differentconnectors (male and/or female), and as such, may be usedinterchangeably.

An electronic assembly within the HDMI device is configured to operatein at least two modes. In the first mode of operation, the electronicassembly causes HDMI data (or an HDMI signal) received at one (or some)of the HDMI connectors (e.g., a second and/or female HDMI connector) tobe transmitted to the other HDMI connector(s) (e.g., a first and/or maleHDMI connector). In the second mode of operation, the electronicassembly does not cause the HDMI data received at the HDMI connector tobe transmitted to the other HDMI connector (e.g., the electronicassembly prevents the HDMI data from being sent to the other HDMIconnector, at least directly).

In some embodiments, in the second mode of operation, the electronicassembly (also) causes HDMI data that is not received at the one HDMIconnector to be transmitted to the other HDMI connector. The HDMI datathat is not received at the one HDMI connector may be, for example,generated, created, or received, by the electronic assembly. Forsimplicity, this data (i.e., not received at the second HDMI connector)may be referred to as being “generated” by (or within) the HDMI device.However, as is described below, in addition to being generated (orcreated) by, for example, a processor within the electronic assembly,this data may be, for example, received by a wireless receiver withinthe electronic assembly, or stored in a memory within the electronicassembly.

In some embodiments, the electronic assembly is also configured tooperate in a third mode in which the electronic assembly causes at leastsome of the HDMI data that is received at the second HDMI connector andat least some of the HDMI that data is generated by the HDMI device tobe sent to the first HDMI connector simultaneously (e.g., after beingcombined).

In some embodiments, the first HDMI connector is a male HDMI connector,and the second HDMI connector is a female HDMI connector. The electronicassembly may include a wireless receiver configured to receive the HDMIdata that is generated by the HDMI device. The wireless receiver may be,for example, a wireless local area networks (LAN) receiver, a Long-TermEvolution (LTE) receiver, or LTE Advanced receiver. In some embodiments,the electronic assembly includes a memory in which the HDMI data that isgenerated by the HDMI device. The electronic assembly may include aprocessor and/or be implemented as a system-on-chip (SoC).

According to some aspects of the present invention, methods for managingHDMI data are provided. In some embodiments, HDMI data is received at asecond HDMI connector of an HDMI device. The HDMI device furtherincludes a first HDMI connector. The HDMI data received at the secondHDMI connector is transmitted to the first HDMI connector of the HDMIdevice. The transmission of the HDMI data to the first HDMI connector isceased while the HDMI data is still being received at the second HDMIconnector of the HDMI device.

In some embodiments, HDMI data that is generated by the HDMI device istransmitted to the first HDMI connector of the HDMI device. In someembodiments, at least some of the HDMI data received at the second HDMIconnector of the HDMI device is combined with at least some of the HDMIdata that is generated by the HDMI device, and the combined HDMI data istransmitted to the first HDMI connector of the HDMI device.

The HDMI device may include a wireless receiver, and the HDMI data thatis generated by the HDMI device may be received by the wirelessreceiver. The HDMI device may include a memory, and the HDMI data thatis generated by the HDMI device may be stored in the memory.

In at least some embodiments described herein, the various signalprocessing, management, etc., as well as the components used (e.g., theHDMI connectors), are in compliance with the HDMI standards set forth bythe Electronic Industries Alliance and Consumer Technology Association(CTA) (formerly Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)), such as theEIA/CEA-61 standards, as is commonly understood.

It is understood in advance that although this disclosure includes adetailed description on cloud computing, implementation of the teachingsrecited herein are not limited to a cloud computing environment. Rather,embodiments of the present invention are capable of being implemented inconjunction with any other type of computing environment now known orlater developed.

Cloud computing is a model of service delivery for enabling convenient,on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computingresources (e.g. networks, network bandwidth, servers, processing,memory, storage, applications, virtual machines, and services) that canbe rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort orinteraction with a provider of the service. This cloud model may includeat least five characteristics, at least three service models, and atleast four deployment models.

Characteristics are as follows:

On-demand self-service: a cloud consumer can unilaterally provisioncomputing capabilities, such as server time and network storage, asneeded automatically without requiring human interaction with theservice's provider.

Broad network access: capabilities are available over a network andaccessed through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneousthin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, laptops, and PDAs).

Resource pooling: the provider's computing resources are pooled to servemultiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with different physicaland virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according todemand. There is a sense of location independence in that the consumergenerally has no control or knowledge over the exact location of theprovided resources but may be able to specify location at a higher levelof abstraction (e.g., country, state, or datacenter).

Rapid elasticity: capabilities can be rapidly and elasticallyprovisioned, in some cases automatically, to quickly scale out andrapidly released to quickly scale in. To the consumer, the capabilitiesavailable for provisioning often appear to be unlimited and can bepurchased in any quantity at any time.

Measured service: cloud systems automatically control and optimizeresource use by leveraging a metering capability at some level ofabstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g., storage,processing, bandwidth, and active user accounts). Resource usage can bemonitored, controlled, and reported providing transparency for both theprovider and consumer of the utilized service.

Service Models are as follows:

Software as a Service (SaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto use the provider's applications running on a cloud infrastructure.The applications are accessible from various client devices through athin client interface such as a web browser (e.g., web-based e-mail).The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloudinfrastructure including network, servers, operating systems, storage,or even individual application capabilities, with the possible exceptionof limited user-specific application configuration settings.

Platform as a Service (PaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto deploy onto the cloud infrastructure consumer-created or acquiredapplications created using programming languages and tools supported bythe provider. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure including networks, servers, operating systems, orstorage, but has control over the deployed applications and possiblyapplication hosting environment configurations.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): the capability provided to theconsumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and otherfundamental computing resources where the consumer is able to deploy andrun arbitrary software, which can include operating systems andapplications. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure but has control over operating systems, storage,deployed applications, and possibly limited control of select networkingcomponents (e.g., host firewalls).

Deployment Models are as follows:

Private cloud: the cloud infrastructure is operated solely for anorganization. It may be managed by the organization or a third party andmay exist on-premises or off-premises.

Community cloud: the cloud infrastructure is shared by severalorganizations and supports a specific community that has shared concerns(e.g., mission, security requirements, policy, and complianceconsiderations). It may be managed by the organizations or a third partyand may exist on-premises or off-premises.

Public cloud: the cloud infrastructure is made available to the generalpublic or a large industry group and is owned by an organization sellingcloud services.

Hybrid cloud: the cloud infrastructure is a composition of two or moreclouds (private, community, or public) that remain unique entities butare bound together by standardized or proprietary technology thatenables data and application portability (e.g., cloud bursting forload-balancing between clouds).

A cloud computing environment is service oriented with a focus onstatelessness, low coupling, modularity, and semantic interoperability.At the heart of cloud computing is an infrastructure comprising anetwork of interconnected nodes.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a schematic of an example of a cloud computingnode is shown. Cloud computing node 10 is only one example of a suitablecloud computing node and is not intended to suggest any limitation as tothe scope of use or functionality of embodiments of the inventiondescribed herein. Regardless, cloud computing node 10 (and/or thecomputer system/server 12 therein) is capable of being implementedand/or performing (or causing or enabling) any of the functionality setforth hereinabove.

In cloud computing node 10 there is a computer system/server 12, whichis operational with numerous other general purpose or special purposecomputing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-knowncomputing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may besuitable for use with computer system/server 12 include, but are notlimited to, personal computer systems, server computer systems, thinclients, thick clients, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessorsystems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmableconsumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputer systems, mainframecomputer systems, and distributed cloud computing environments thatinclude any of the above systems or devices, and the like.

Computer system/server 12 may be described in the general context ofcomputer system-executable instructions, such as program modules, beingexecuted by a computer system. Generally, program modules may includeroutines, programs, objects, components, logic, data structures, and soon that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract datatypes. Computer system/server 12 may be practiced in distributed cloudcomputing environments where tasks are performed by remote processingdevices that are linked through a communications network. In adistributed cloud computing environment, program modules may be locatedin both local and remote computer system storage media including memorystorage devices.

As shown in FIG. 1, computer system/server 12 in cloud computing node 10is shown in the form of a general-purpose computing device. Thecomponents of computer system/server 12 may include, but are not limitedto, one or more processors or processing units 16, a system memory 28,and a bus 18 that couples various system components including systemmemory 28 to processor 16.

Bus 18 represents one or more of any of several types of bus structures,including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, anaccelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of avariety of bus architectures. By way of example, and not limitation,such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus,Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, VideoElectronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and PeripheralComponent Interconnects (PCI) bus.

Computer system/server 12 typically includes a variety of computersystem readable media. Such media may be any available media that isaccessible by computer system/server 12, and it includes both volatileand non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media.

System memory 28 can include computer system readable media in the formof volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) 30 and/or cachememory 32. Computer system/server 12 may further include otherremovable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer system storagemedia. By way of example only, storage system 34 can be provided forreading from and writing to a non-removable, non-volatile magnetic media(not shown and typically called a “hard drive”). Although not shown, amagnetic disk drive for reading from and writing to a removable,non-volatile magnetic disk (e.g., a “floppy disk”), and an optical diskdrive for reading from or writing to a removable, non-volatile opticaldisk such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or other optical media can be provided.In such instances, each can be connected to bus 18 by one or more datamedia interfaces. As will be further depicted and described below,system memory 28 may include at least one program product having a set(e.g., at least one) of program modules that are configured to carry outthe functions of embodiments of the invention.

Program/utility 40, having a set (at least one) of program modules 42,may be stored in system memory 28 by way of example, and not limitation,as well as an operating system, one or more application programs, otherprogram modules, and program data. Each of the operating system, one ormore application programs, other program modules, and program data orsome combination thereof, may include an implementation of a networkingenvironment. Program modules 42 generally carry out the functions and/ormethodologies of embodiments of the invention as described herein.

Computer system/server 12 may also communicate with one or more externaldevices 14 such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a display 24, etc.;one or more devices that enable a user to interact with computersystem/server 12; and/or any devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.)that enable computer system/server 12 to communicate with one or moreother computing devices. Such communication can occur via Input/Output(I/O) interfaces 22. Still yet, computer system/server 12 cancommunicate with one or more networks such as a local area network(LAN), a general wide area network (WAN), and/or a public network (e.g.,the Internet) via network adapter 20. As depicted, network adapter 20communicates with the other components of computer system/server 12 viabus 18. It should be understood that although not shown, other hardwareand/or software components could be used in conjunction with computersystem/server 12. Examples include, but are not limited to: microcode,device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays,RAID systems, tape drives, and data archival storage systems, etc.

In the context of the present invention, and as one of skill in the artwill appreciate, various components depicted in FIG. 1 may be locatedin, for example, personal computer systems, hand-held or laptop devices,and network PCs. However, in some embodiments, some of the componentsdepicted in FIG. 1 may be located in a computing device (or electronicassembly) in an HDMI device (or stick) or, for example, a displaydevice, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) (e.g., a television ormonitor). For example, some of the processing and data storagecapabilities associated with mechanisms of the illustrated embodimentsmay take place locally via local processing components, while the samecomponents are connected via a network to remotely located, distributedcomputing data processing and storage components to accomplish variouspurposes of the present invention. Again, as will be appreciated by oneof ordinary skill in the art, the present illustration is intended toconvey only a subset of what may be an entire connected network ofdistributed computing components that accomplish various inventiveaspects collectively.

Referring now to FIG. 2, illustrative cloud computing environment 50 isdepicted. As shown, cloud computing environment 50 comprises one or morecloud computing nodes 10 with which local computing devices used bycloud consumers, such as, for example, personal digital assistant (PDA)or cellular telephone 54A, desktop computer 54B, and/or laptop computer54C, and HDMI capable systems, such as, for example, those in HDMIdevices 54D and display devices (e.g., LCD TVs) 54E, may communicate.Nodes 10 may communicate with one another. They may be grouped (notshown) physically or virtually, in one or more networks, such asPrivate, Community, Public, or Hybrid clouds as described hereinabove,or a combination thereof. This allows cloud computing environment 50 tooffer infrastructure, platforms and/or software as services for which acloud consumer does not need to maintain resources on a local computingdevice. It is understood that the types of computing devices 54A-E shownin FIG. 2 are intended to be illustrative only and that computing nodes10 and cloud computing environment 50 can communicate with any type ofcomputerized device over any type of network and/or network addressableconnection (e.g., using a web browser).

Referring now to FIG. 3, a set of functional abstraction layers providedby cloud computing environment 50 (FIG. 2) is shown. It should beunderstood in advance that the components, layers, and functions shownin FIG. 3 are intended to be illustrative only and embodiments of theinvention are not limited thereto. As depicted, the following layers andcorresponding functions are provided:

Device layer 55 includes physical and/or virtual devices, embedded withand/or standalone electronics, sensors, actuators, and other objects toperform various tasks in a cloud computing environment 50. Each of thedevices in the device layer 55 incorporates networking capability toother functional abstraction layers such that information obtained fromthe devices may be provided thereto, and/or information from the otherabstraction layers may be provided to the devices. In one embodiment,the various devices inclusive of the device layer 55 may incorporate anetwork of entities collectively known as the “internet of things”(IoT). Such a network of entities allows for intercommunication,collection, and dissemination of data to accomplish a great variety ofpurposes, as one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate.

Device layer 55 as shown includes sensor 52, actuator 53, “learning”thermostat 56 with integrated processing, sensor, and networkingelectronics, camera 57, controllable household outlet/receptacle 58, andcontrollable electrical switch 59 as shown. Other possible devices mayinclude, but are not limited to HDMI devices, display devices (e.g.,HDTVs and LCD TVs), and various additional sensor devices, networkingdevices, electronics devices (such as a remote control device),additional actuator devices, so called “smart” appliances such as arefrigerator or washer/dryer, and a wide variety of other possibleinterconnected objects.

Hardware and software layer 60 includes hardware and softwarecomponents. Examples of hardware components include: mainframes 61; RISC(Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture based servers 62;servers 63; blade servers 64; storage devices 65; and networks andnetworking components 66. In some embodiments, software componentsinclude network application server software 67 and database software 68.

Virtualization layer 70 provides an abstraction layer from which thefollowing examples of virtual entities may be provided: virtual servers71; virtual storage 72; virtual networks 73, including virtual privatenetworks; virtual applications and operating systems 74; and virtualclients 75.

In one example, management layer 80 may provide the functions describedbelow. Resource provisioning 81 provides dynamic procurement ofcomputing resources and other resources that are utilized to performtasks within the cloud computing environment. Metering and Pricing 82provides cost tracking as resources are utilized within the cloudcomputing environment, and billing or invoicing for consumption of theseresources. In one example, these resources may comprise applicationsoftware licenses. Security provides identity verification for cloudconsumers and tasks, as well as protection for data and other resources.User portal 83 provides access to the cloud computing environment forconsumers and system administrators. Service level management 84provides cloud computing resource allocation and management such thatrequired service levels are met. Service Level Agreement (SLA) planningand fulfillment 85 provides pre-arrangement for, and procurement of,cloud computing resources for which a future requirement is anticipatedin accordance with an SLA.

Workloads layer 90 provides examples of functionality for which thecloud computing environment may be utilized. Examples of workloads andfunctions which may be provided from this layer include: mapping andnavigation 91; software development and lifecycle management 92; virtualclassroom education delivery 93; data analytics processing 94;transaction processing 95; and, in the context of the illustratedembodiments of the present invention, various workloads and functions 96for managing and controlling HDMI devices. One of ordinary skill in theart will appreciate that the image processing workloads and functions 96may also work in conjunction with other portions of the variousabstractions layers, such as those in hardware and software 60,virtualization 70, management 80, and other workloads 90 (such as dataanalytics processing 94, for example) to accomplish the various purposesof the illustrated embodiments of the present invention.

As previously mentioned, the methods and systems of the illustratedembodiments provide novel HDMI devices and methods and systems formanaging HDMI data. In some embodiments, the HDMI devices have (atleast) two HDMI connectors (e.g., a first and/or male HDMI connector anda second and/or female HDMI connector). An electronic assembly withinthe HDMI devices is configured to operate in at least two modes. In thefirst mode of operation, the electronic assembly causes HDMI data (or anHDMI signal) received at the second HDMI connector to be transmitted tothe first HDMI connector. In the second mode of operation, theelectronic assembly does not cause the HDMI data received at the secondHDMI connector to be transmitted to the first HDMI connector (e.g., theelectronic assembly prevents the HDMI data from being sent to the firstHDMI connector, at least directly).

In some embodiments, in the second mode of operation, the electronicassembly (also) causes HDMI data that is not received at the second HDMIconnector (e.g., HDMI data that is generated by the HDMI device) to betransmitted to the first HDMI connector. The HDMI data that is notreceived at the second HDMI connector may be, for example, generated by,or received by, the electronic assembly. In some embodiments, theelectronic assembly is also configured to operate in a third mode inwhich the electronic assembly causes at least some of the HDMI data thatis received at the second HDMI connector and at least some of the HDMIdata that is generated by the HDMI device to be sent to the first HDMIconnector simultaneously.

Referring to FIG. 4, an HDMI device 400 is shown in accordance with someaspects of the present invention. In the depicted embodiment, the HDMIdevice 400 is in what may be referred to as a “stick” configurationwith, for example, an overall rectangular shape having a length ofbetween 1.0 and 3.0 inches, a width of 1.0 and 2.0 inches, and a height(or thickness) between 0.5 and 1 inches. However, it should beunderstood that in other embodiments the HDMI devices described hereinmay have different shapes (e.g., round, square, etc.) and sizes.

Still referring to FIG. 4, as seen from an exterior, the HDMI device 400includes a body (or housing or frame) 402 with a first HDMI connector(e.g., a male HDMI connector) 404 on a first end thereof and a secondHDMI connector (e.g., a female HDMI connector) 406 on a second endthereof (e.g., opposite the first end/first HDMI connector 404). Thebody 402 may be made of any suitable material, such as a plastic,polymer, composite, metal (e.g., aluminum), etc. Although the HDMIdevice 400 shown in FIG. 4 includes only two HDMI connectors 404 and406, it should be understood that in some embodiments, the HDMI devicesdescribed herein may include additional HDMI connectors (e.g., more thanone male connector and/or more than one female connector).

FIG. 5 is a simplified functional block/schematic view of the HDMIdevice 400 in accordance with some aspects of the present invention.Although the HDMI device 400 may be illustrated in a manner thatsomewhat resembles a circuit, it should be understood that thecomponents shown within the HDMI device 400 may be understood to simplyrepresent various functionalities of the HDMI device 400, as opposed tospecific circuit components. For example, the functionality provided bythe HDMI devices described below may be performed “logically” (e.g., bya processor or SoC), as is commonly understood, as opposed to thediscrete switches and other components, suggested in FIG. 5. In thedepicted embodiment, on an interior of (and/or connected or coupled to)the body 402, the HDMI device includes an electronic assembly (ormicroelectronic assembly) 408. The electronic assembly includes acomputing device 410, a wireless receiver (or transceiver) 412, andswitches 414 and 416.

Although not shown in detail, in some embodiments, the computing device410 includes various components such as a processor, memory, etc. (e.g.,the components described above with respect to the computer system 12shown in FIG. 1) and is in operable communication (e.g., electricallyconnected to) the wireless receiver 412 and the switches 414 and 416.The computing device 410, the wireless receiver 412, and the switches414 and 416 may be implemented as, for example, a SoC. However, itshould be understood that discrete, physical components (e.g., switches)may also be used.

The wireless receiver 412 may be any suitable receiver (and/ortransmitter) capable of enabling wireless communication (e.g., viawireless local area networks (LANs), Long-Term Evolution (LTE), LTEAdvanced, etc.). In the depicted embodiment, the switches 414 and 416are two-way switches that are in operable communication with therespective HDMI connectors 404 and 406. As shown, each of the switches414 and 416 is configured to be connected directly to the other switch(in a first switch mode) or the computing device 410 (in a second switchmode). As is described in greater detail below, the switches 414 and 416are jointly capable of providing (at least) three modes of operation forthe electronic assembly 408.

In a first mode of operation, a signal (e.g., HDMI data) that isreceived at (or by) the second HDMI connector 406 passes through switch414, bypasses the computing device 410, and is sent (or transmitted)directly to the first HDMI connector 404 through switch 416, while thecomputing device 410 is not connected to (or not in operablecommunication with) the first HDMI connector 404. In other words, thesecond HDMI connector 406 is connected directly to the first HDMIconnector 404, and the computing device 410 is not connected to eitherof the HDMI connectors 404 and 406. As described above, in someembodiments, physical components (e.g., switches) may be used by theelectronic assembly 408 such that a “true bypass” of the computingdevice 410 is achieved.

In a second mode of operation (the mode of operation shown in FIG. 5), asignal that is received at the second HDMI connector 406 is not sent tothe first HDMI connector 404 (or the computing device 410), while thecomputing device 410 is connected to the first HDMI connector 404. Inother words, the second HDMI connector 406 is not connected to eitherthe first HDMI connector 404 or the computing device 410, but thecomputing device 410 is connected to the first HDMI connector 404 (i.e.,via switch 416).

In a third mode of operation, a signal that is received at the secondHDMI connector 406 is sent to the computing device 410, while thecomputing device 410 is connected to the first HDMI connector 404 (i.e.,via switch 416). In other words, the second HDMI connector 406 isindirectly connected to the first HDMI connector 404 through thecomputing device 410.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, in some embodiments, the HDMI device 400described above is connected (or attached) to other HDMI devices whilein use. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the HDMI device 400 (i.e., afirst HDMI device) is connected to a second HDMI device 418. Moreparticularly, an HDMI connector (e.g., a male HDMI connector) 420 of thesecond HDMI device 418 is inserted into the second HDMI connector (e.g.,a female HDMI connector) 406 of the first HDMI device 400. In theparticular example shown, the second HDMI device 418 is identical to thefirst HDMI device 400. However, in some embodiments, the second HDMIdevice 418 is, for example, a conventional HDMI device (e.g., HDMIstick) with only one HDMI connector (e.g., a male HDMI connector). Thefirst HDMI device 400 combined with the second HDMI device 418 may beconsidered to form a composite HDMI device 422.

As shown in FIG. 8, the composite HDMI device 422 may then be connected(or attached) to HDMI compatible computing system 424. For example, thefirst HDMI connector 404 (e.g., a male HDMI connector) of the first HDMIdevice 400 may be inserted into an HDMI port (e.g., a female HDMIconnector) on the computing system 424. In the example shown, in FIG. 8,the computing system 424 is a LCD TV or monitor. However, it should beunderstood that any suitable computing system may be used, such asdesktop computers, laptops, tablets, PDAs, etc.

FIGS. 9, 10, and 11 are functional block/schematic views illustratingthe composite HDMI device 422 connected (or attached) to (and/or inoperable communication with) the computing system 424, with the firstHDMI device 400 in different operational modes.

In the operational mode shown in FIG. 9, switches 414 and 416 areconfigured such that a signal (e.g., HDMI data) that is received by (orat) the second HDMI connector 406 of the first HDMI device 400 from thesecond HDMI device 418 bypasses the computing device 410 within thefirst HDMI device 400 and is sent from the first HDMI device 400 to thecomputing system 424 through the first HDMI connector 404 of the firstHDMI device 400. Thus, in this operational state, the signal may be sentfrom the second HDMI device 418 to the computing system 424 withoutbeing modified or altered in any way by the first HDMI device 400, whileno signal (e.g., HDMI data) that is generated by the first HDMI device400 (e.g., HDMI data that is received through the wireless receiver 412)is sent to the computing device 424.

In the operational mode shown in FIG. 10, switches 414 and 416 areconfigured such that a signal that is received by the second HDMIconnector 406 of the first HDMI device 400 from the second HDMI device418 is neither sent directly to the first HDMI connector 404 nor to thecomputing device 410 within the first HDMI device 400. Thus, in thisoperational state, a signal being sent from the second HDMI device 418is not sent to the computing system 424. Rather, in this operationalstate, a signal that is generated by the first HDMI device (e.g.,generated by the computing device 410 and/or received through thewireless receiver 412) may be sent to the computing system 424 throughthe first HDMI connector 404.

In the operational state shown in FIG. 11, switches 414 and 416 areconfigured such that a signal that is received by the second HDMIconnector 406 of the first HDMI device 400 from the second HDMI device418 is sent to the computing device 410 of the first HDMI device 400.Additionally, a signal that is generated by the first HDMI device 400(e.g., generated by the computing device 410 and/or received through thewireless receiver 412) may be sent to the computing system 424 throughthe first HDMI connector 404, perhaps in combination with the signalthat is received from the second HDMI device 418. Thus, in thisoperational state, a signal (or HDMI data) that is a combination of whatis received from the second HDMI device 418 and generated by the firstHDMI device 400 may be sent to the computing system 424. In other words,two signals (e.g., HDMI data streams), or at least a portion thereof,generated by two difference HDMI devices may be simultaneously providedto the computing system 424 through a single HDMI device (e.g., thefirst HDMI device 400).

Although the composite HDMI device 422 described above includes two HDMIdevices 400 and 418, it should be understood that in some embodiments,additional individual HDMI devices may be added. For example, as shownin FIG. 12, the composite HDMI device 422 includes four HDMI devices:the first and second HDMI devices 400 and 418 described above and twoadditional HDMI devices 426 and 428. In some embodiments, all of theHDMI devices 400, 418, 426, and 428 are identical, or substantiallyidentical (e.g., include the switching functionality described above).However, it should be understood that some of the devices, such as HDMIdevice 428, may be, for example, a conventional HDMI device (e.g., withonly one HDMI port). In embodiments utilizing the switchingfunctionality described herein, signals from the individual HDMI devices400, 418, 426, and 428 may be selectively sent to the computing system424, or alternatively, combined with the signals from the other HDMIdevices in a manner similar to that described above. For example, theHDMI devices 400, 418, 426, and 428 may be configured such that a signalfrom HDMI device 428 (e.g., received by a wireless receiver thereon) issent through HDMI devices 426, 418, and 400 and into the computingsystem 424 while bypassing the computing devices within HDMI devices426, 418, and 400. Alternatively, HDMI devices 426, 418, and 400 may beselectively configured to combine the respect signals (or at leastportions thereof) generated therein (or received by the respectivewireless receivers) with the signal sent from HDMI device 428.

It should be noted that when the HDMI devices are attached as shown inFIGS. 9-12, HDMI devices that are connected between the computing system424 and other HDMI devices may be considered to be “downstream” fromthose other HDMI devices, and vice versa with respect to “upstream.” Forexample, referring again to FIG. 12, HDMI device 418 may be consideredto be downstream from HDMI devices 426 and 428, while HDMI device 428may be considered to be upstream from HDMI devices 400, 418, and 426.

The HDMI device(s) described above allows for HDMI data (or content)from multiple HDMI devices to be transmitted to a computing system(e.g., a LCD TV) through a single HDMI connector (or port) on thecomputing system, perhaps simultaneously. As one relatively simpleexample, referring again to FIGS. 9-11, the first HDMI device 400 may beconfigured to provide a first type of content (e.g., a professionalfootball program) to the LCD TV, while the second HDMI device 418 may beconfigured to provide a second type of content (e.g., a professionalgolf program) to the LCD TV. Utilizing the switching functionalityprovided above, the HDMI device(s) may switch between which of the twotypes of content is being displayed on the LCD TV. The HDMI device(s)may be preconfigured to such that the switching functionality isinitially set up in a particular way (e.g., which may be chosen by auser) and then switched/changed based on the various factors/inputsdescribed herein. In some embodiments, a user is able to simply switchbetween the different content types using, for example, a user inputdevice (e.g., a remote control). However, the switching may be based onother factors, as described in greater detail below.

As another example, the content provided by each of the HDMI devices maycompliment each other and be combined into a single HDMI stream that istransmitted into the LCD TV (or other computing system). For instance,if one of the HDMI devices is configured to provide a professionalathletics program, another of the HDMI devices may provide additionalcontent related to that professional sport (e.g., statistics,interviews, advertising of products related to that sport, etc.), and insome embodiments, both types of content are provided to the LCD TVsimultaneously, with the additional content overlaying a portion of thebase content on the LCD TV screen, for example, in a“picture-in-picture” format or with some of the content being displayedin (or as) a marquee (e.g., a scrolling marquee along the bottom or topof the display). As one skilled in the art will recognize, other formatsof combined content may be rendered, and the above examples are in noway intended to limit the scope of the content mixing process.

In some embodiments, the switching of the content (or HDMI data orsignal) that is provided to (and/or displayed by) the computing systemis performed based on a time schedule. For example, the switching may beperformed at a certain time(s) of day and/or on a regular interval(e.g., every 30 minutes), which may be programmed by the user. As a morespecific example, the content from one of the HDMI devices (e.g., alocal news program) may be displayed on an LCD TV for 30 minutes beforethe content is switched to that from a second of the HDMI devices (e.g.,a local weather program). The content from the second of the HDMIdevices may then be displayed for a predetermined amount of time, suchas 5 minutes, before the content is switched back to that of the firstHDMI device.

In some embodiments, the switching of the content is based on a prioritysignal provided from at least one of the HDMI devices (and/or embeddedwithin the respective content or signal). For example, consider anexample in which three HDMI devices are connected as described above.One of the devices may be configured to provide content related torecent events in the news and embed a priority signal within its HDMIcontent (or stream) when a breaking news story/event occurs. In such anexample, one, or both, of the other HDMI devices may recognize thatpriority signal and cause the content provided to the LCD TV to beswitched to the content from that HDMI device.

As mentioned above, in some embodiments, the content from multiple HDMIdevices may be essentially combined (and/or altered based on an“upstream” HDMI device) and provided to the LCD TV simultaneously andpresented in, for example, a picture-in-picture format. For example, oneof the HDMI devices may provide content related to recent politicalnews/events, while another of the devices provides content related tobusiness/financial news. In some embodiments, the political news contentmay be displayed as the primary content on the LCD TV, and thebusiness/financial news may be secondary content that is displayed in arelatively small window on the LCD TV (i.e., picture-in-picture) (orvice versa). In such embodiments, the content displayed as the primaryand secondary content may be switched back and forth, using, forexample, the time schedule and/or priority signal described above.

In some embodiments, content from one of the HDMI devices may be used toenhance the content from another of the HDMI devices. For example, oneof the HDMI devices may analyze the HDMI data (e.g., video stream and/ormeta-data) from an upstream device and add content, such asadvertisements, related content, and social media data (e.g., commentsposted by a user's friends on a social media platform). The order (orarrangement) of the HDMI devices may affect the manner in which thecontent is eventually displayed on, or presented by, the computingsystem.

In some embodiments, the HDMI device(s) are used to “capture” some ofthe data provided by one or more of the HDMI devices. For example, avideo stream may have a signal embedded therein indicating that aportion of the video is to be posted on, for example, a user's socialmedia profile. In such an embodiment, one of the HDMI devices (e.g., onethat is downstream from the device from which the video streamoriginated within the composite HDMI device) may capture (or record)that portion of the video stream and cause it to be posted on the user'ssocial media profile (e.g., using a transmitter within that particularHDMI device).

Turning to FIG. 13, a flowchart diagram of an exemplary method 1300 formanaging HDMI data (or signals or content), in accordance with variousaspects of the present invention, is illustrated. Method 1300 begins(step 1302) with, for example, a first HDMI device (e.g., HDMI device400 in FIGS. 6-12, having first and second HDMI connectors) beingconnected to a computing system, such as an LCD TV, and a second HDMIdevice (e.g., HDMI device 418 in FIGS. 6-12 or a conventional HDMIdevice) being connected to the first HDMI device. More particularly, insome embodiments, method 1300 begins with an HDMI connector (e.g., amale HDMI connector) of the second HDMI device being inserted into asecond (e.g., female) HDMI connector of the first HDMI device, and thefirst (e.g., male) HDMI connector of the first HDMI device beinginserted into an HDMI port (or female connector) of the computingsystem.

An HDMI signal (or HDMI data) is then received at the second HDMIconnector of the (first) HDMI device (step 1304). More particularly, insome embodiments, an HDMI signal is sent from the second HDMI device tothe second connector of the first HDMI device. In the depictedembodiment, the HDMI signal received at the second HDMI connector of the(first) HDMI device is transmitted (or sent) to the first HDMI connectorof the (first) HDMI device (step 1306). In some embodiments, the HDMIsignal is sent to the first HDMI connector without being altered,modified, or combined with any other data (e.g., a second HDMI signal).As described above, HDMI signal may then be transmitted to the computingsystem through the first HDMI connector.

The transmitting of the HDMI signal to the first HDMI connector is thenstopped (or ceased) (step 1308). In some embodiments, the transmittingof the HDMI signal is stopped while the HDMI signal is still beingreceived by (or provided to) the second HDMI connector of the HDMIdevice (e.g., while the second HDMI device is still connected to thefirst HDMI device). As described above, the managing of the HDMI signalwithin the HDMI device may be performed by an electronic assembly (e.g.,switches, a processor, a SoC, etc.) within the HDMI device. As describedabove, in some embodiments, after the transmitting of the HDMI signal tothe first HDMI connector has stopped, another HDMI signal (e.g.,generated by the electronic assembly) may then be sent to the first HDMIconnector. Method 1300 ends (step 1310) with, for example, the HDMIdevice(s) being disconnected from the computing system.

It should be understood that the steps described above may be performedin a different order. For example, after the HDMI signal is received atthe second HDMI connector (step 1304), the signal may be initiallyblocked (or prevented) from being transmitted to the first HDMIconnector (step 1308), and then transmitted to the first HDMI connector(step 1306).

Referring now to FIG. 14, a flowchart diagram of an exemplary method1400 for managing HDMI data (or signals or content), in accordance withvarious aspects of the present invention, is illustrated. Method 1400begins (step 1402) with, for example, a first HDMI device (e.g., HDMIdevice 400 in FIGS. 6-12, having first and second HDMI connectors) beingconnected to a computing system, such as an LCD TV, and a second HDMIdevice (e.g., HDMI device 418 in FIGS. 6-12 or a conventional HDMIdevice) being connected to the first HDMI device. More particularly, insome embodiments, method 1400 begins with an HDMI connector (e.g., amale HDMI connector) of the second HDMI device being inserted into asecond (e.g., female) HDMI connector of the first HDMI device, and thefirst (e.g., male) HDMI connector of the first HDMI device beinginserted into an HDMI port (or female connector) of the computingsystem. It should be understood that in some embodiments, all of thesteps described below with respect to method 1400 may be performed by(or implemented within) the first HDMI device (e.g., a single HDMIdevice), while the second HDMI device may simply provide an HDMI signalto the first HDMI device.

An HDMI signal (or HDMI data) is then received at the second HDMIconnector of the first HDMI device (e.g., HDMI device 400) (step 1404).More particularly, in some embodiments, an HDMI signal is sent from thesecond HDMI device (e.g., HDMI device 418) to the second HDMI connectorof the first HDMI device (e.g., HDMI device 400).

It is then determined whether or not the HDMI signal is to betransmitted to the first HDMI connector on the first HDMI device (e.g.,HDMI device 400) (step 1406). The determination of whether or not theHDMI signal is to be sent to the first HDMI connector may be based on,for example, a time schedule, priority signals, etc., as describedabove.

If the HDMI signal is to be transmitted to the first HDMI connector, itis then determined whether or not the HDMI signal is to be combined witha second HDMI signal (or modified using data from a second HDMI signal)(step 1408). If so, the HDMI signal is then combined with a second HDMIsignal that is, for example, generated by an electronic assembly withinthe first HDMI device (e.g., received by the wireless receiver 412 inHDMI device 400) (step 1410), as described above in greater detail. Thecombined HDMI signal is then transmitted to the first HDMI connector onthe first HDMI device (e.g., HDMI device 400) (step 1412). Method 1400ends (step 1414) with, for example, the HDMI device(s) beingdisconnected from the computing system.

If the HDMI signal is not to be combined with a second HDMI signal (step1408), the HDMI signal is then transmitted to the first HDMI connectoron the first HDMI device (e.g., HDMI device 400) (step 1416). Method1400 then ends (step 1414) with, for example, the HDMI device(s) beingdisconnected from the computing system.

If the HDMI is signal is not to be transmitted to the first HDMIconnector on the first HDMI device (step 1406), the HDMI signal is thenprevented (or blocked) from being sent to the first HDMI connector (orif the signal is already being transmitted to the first HDMI connector,the transmission is ceased) (step 1418). A second HDMI signal is thengenerated by (or with) the first HDMI device (e.g., by the computingdevice 410 within HDMI device 400) (step 1420). The second HDMI signalis then transmitted to the first HDMI connector on the first HDMI device(step 1422). Method 1400 then ends (step 1414) with, for example, theHDMI device(s) being disconnected from the computing system.

It should be understood that method 1400 may be performed by (orimplemented within) any of the HDMI devices described above with respectto FIGS. 6-12. That is, although the description of method 1400references HDMI device 400 (i.e., the most downstream HDMI device) inparticular, it should be noted that method 1400 (as well as any othermethods described herein) may be performed by (or implemented within)the other HDMI devices (e.g., HDMI devices 418, 426, and/or 428).

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product. The computer program product may include a computerreadable storage medium (or media) having computer readable programinstructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of thepresent invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example,programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), orprogrammable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readableprogram instructions by utilizing state information of the computerreadable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry,in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowcharts and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowcharts and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowcharts and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowcharts and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowcharts or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, and combinations ofblocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, can beimplemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform thespecified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purposehardware and computer instructions.

1. A method, by a processor, for managing High-Definition MultimediaInterface (HDMI) data, comprising: causing HDMI data received by atleast one of a second HDMI connector of an HDMI device and the processorof the HDMI device to be transmitted to a first HDMI connector of theHDMI device according to each of a plurality of modes of operation;wherein a switching operation between the plurality of modes ofoperation is automatically performed based on a time schedule programmedby a user notwithstanding a priority signal embedded within the HDMIdata received at the second HDMI connector or the processor isconfigured to override the time schedule to initiate the switching. 2.The method of claim 1, further including: during a first of theplurality of modes of operation, causing HDMI data received at thesecond HDMI connector to be transmitted directly to the first HDMIconnector of the HDMI device by bypassing the processor; and during asecond of the plurality of modes of operation, causing HDMI data that isnot received at the second HDMI connector of the HDMI device to betransmitted to the first HDMI connector of the HDMI device.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, further including, during a third of the plurality ofmodes of operation: combining at least some of the HDMI data received atthe second HDMI connector of the HDMI device with at least some of theHDMI data that is not received at the second HDMI connector; and causingsaid combined HDMI data to be transmitted to the first HDMI connector ofthe HDMI device.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the HDMI devicefurther includes a wireless receiver, and the HDMI data that is notreceived at the second HDMI connector is received by the wirelessreceiver.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the HDMI device furtherincludes a memory, and the HDMI data that is not received at the secondHDMI connector is stored in the memory.
 6. The method of claim 3,wherein the HDMI device further includes a system-on-chip (SoC).
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the first HDMI connector is a male HDMIconnector, and the second HDMI connector is a female HDMI connector. 8.A system for managing High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) data,comprising: a processor that causes HDMI data received by at least oneof a second HDMI connector of an HDMI device and the processor of theHDMI device to be transmitted to a first HDMI connector of the HDMIdevice according to each of a plurality of modes of operation; wherein aswitching operation between the plurality of modes of operation isautomatically performed based on a time schedule programmed by a usernotwithstanding a priority signal embedded within the HDMI data receivedat the second HDMI connector or the processor is configured to overridethe time schedule to initiate the switching.
 9. The system of claim 8,wherein the processor further: during a first of the plurality of modesof operation, causes HDMI data received at the second HDMI connector tobe transmitted directly to the first HDMI connector of the HDMI deviceby bypassing the processor; and during a second of the plurality ofmodes of operation, causes HDMI data that is not received at the secondHDMI connector of the HDMI device to be transmitted to the first HDMIconnector of the HDMI device.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein theprocessor further, during a third of the plurality of modes ofoperation: combines at least some of the HDMI data received at thesecond HDMI connector of the HDMI device with at least some of the HDMIdata that is not received at the second HDMI connector; and causes saidcombined data to be transmitted to the first HDMI connector of the HDMIdevice.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the HDMI device furtherincludes a wireless receiver, and the HDMI data that is not received atthe second HDMI connector is received by the wireless receiver.
 12. Thesystem of claim 10, wherein the HDMI device further includes a memory,and the HDMI data that is not received at the second HDMI connector isstored in the memory.
 13. The system of claim 10, wherein the HDMIdevice further includes a system-on-chip (SoC).
 14. The system of claim8, wherein the first HDMI connector is a male HDMI connector, and thesecond HDMI connector is a female HDMI connector.
 15. A computer programproduct for managing High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) data bya processor, the computer program product comprising a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program codeportions stored therein, the computer-readable program code portionscomprising: an executable portion that causes HDMI data received by atleast one of a second HDMI connector of an HDMI device and the processorof the HDMI device to be transmitted to a first HDMI connector of theHDMI device according to each of a plurality of modes of operation;wherein a switching operation between the plurality of modes ofoperation is automatically performed based on a time schedule programmedby a user notwithstanding a priority signal embedded within the HDMIdata received at the second HDMI connector or the processor isconfigured to override the time schedule to initiate the switching. 16.The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the computer-readableprogram code portions further include an executable portion that: duringa first of the plurality of modes of operation, causes HDMI datareceived at the second HDMI connector to be transmitted directly to thefirst HDMI connector of the HDMI device by bypassing the processor; andduring a second of the plurality of modes of operation, causes HDMI datathat is not received at the second HDMI connector of the HDMI device tobe transmitted to the first HDMI connector of the HDMI device.
 17. Thecomputer program product of claim 16, wherein the computer-readableprogram code portions further include, during a third of the pluralityof modes of operation: an executable portion that combines at least someof the HDMI data received at the second HDMI connector of the HDMIdevice with at least some of the HDMI data that is not received at thesecond HDMI connector; and an executable portion that causes saidcombined data to be transmitted to the first HDMI connector of the HDMIdevice.
 18. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the HDMIdevice further includes a wireless receiver, and the HDMI data that isnot received at the second HDMI connector is received by the wirelessreceiver.
 19. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the HDMIdevice further includes a memory, and the HDMI data that is not receivedat the second HDMI connector is stored in the memory.
 20. The computerprogram product of claim 17, wherein the HDMI device further includes asystem-on-chip (SoC).